Search

the eighth day

February 22, 2005

The Simpsons: There's Something About Marrying

In the latest episode of the Simpsons, shown in the US this past weekend, Homer becomes a marriage celebrant so that he can perform the wedding of a same-sex couple. Springfield changed its laws in relation to marriage in order to boost tourism. The episode was the subject of much speculation - as to which character was "coming out", and I won't reveal it here... you'll have to read the extended entry!

Conservative groups have echoed their ongoing complaints in relation to appropriate role models on television, but one has to look a little more skeptically at this episode: the matter of using gay marriage in an exploitative way, and whether the character in question underlines negative stereotypes of being gay, being just two of those drawn into focus.

Without having seen the episode, it's a bit hard to comment, but given the brilliance with which The Simpsons cuts through to give insightful cultural critique, it is likely to challenge some mainstream thinking on both sides of the argument.

WARNING! Reading the extended entry will reveal the Simpsons character who "comes out".

Patty Bouvier, Marge's sister is the one who declares her homosexuality.